Job - 33:5



5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand forth.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Job 33:5.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
If thou canst, answer thou me; Set thy words in order before me, stand forth.
If thou canst, answer me, and stand up against my face.
If thou canst, answer me; array thy words before me: take thy stand.
If thou art able, answer me, Set in array before me, station thyself.
If you can answer me, set your words in order before me, stand up.
If you are able, give me an answer; put your cause in order, and come forward.
If you can, answer me, and oppose me to my face.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

If thou canst answer me - The meaning of this verse is this: "The controversy between you and me, if you choose to reply, shall be conducted in the most equitable manner, and on the most equal terms. I will not attempt, as your three friends have done, to overwhelm you with reproaches; nor will I attempt to overawe you as God would do, so that you could not reply. I am a man like yourself, and desire that if anything can be said against what I have to advance, it should be offered with the utmost fairness and freedom."
Stand up - That is, "maintain your position, unless you are convinced by my arguments. I wish to carry nothing by mere authority or power."

If thou canst answer me,.... That is, when he had done speaking, after he had heard him out; if he thought he could make a reply to him, he gave him full liberty so to do, and tacitly suggests that he should give him an attentive and candid hearing, as he had requested of him:
set thy words in order before me; put them into the best form and order thou canst for thy self-defence, and level them at me; set them, as it were, in battle array against me; give them all the poignancy, strength, and three thou art capable of:
stand up; not out of veneration to him, but to denote freedom and boldness in himself; a presentation of himself with boldness, and standing and keeping his ground: the expressions are military; Mr. Broughton renders it, "stand to it".

Images from a court of justice.
stand up--alluding to Job's words (Job 30:20).

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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